Key Skills

Job Description

About Us: Emergent is a Delft-based company dedicated to revolutionizing autonomous aerial systems for defense and emergency response. We develop and deploy software for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that enables platform-independent collaborative autonomy, and we build the Counter-UAS (C-UAS) systems that detect, track, and defeat hostile drones in denied and cluttered environments. Our technology leverages decentralized swarming algorithms and multi-sensor fusion to tackle real-world challenges at scale. We have successfully attracted significant capital and grants, and we are working with clients and strategic partners across Europe and allied countries — strong signals of market traction. Backed by experienced advisors, we offer the chance to join a 20-person team pushing the boundaries of autonomy and counter-drone defense, with real autonomy and influence over what we build. What you will do: As Senior Systems Integration Engineer / Tech Lead for our C-UAS product line, you will own how our detection, tracking, command-and-control, and effector subsystems come together into a single, coherent system that works in the field. This is a system-of-systems role: your job is to make heterogeneous sensors, data links, C2 software, and effectors behave as one; reliably, under time pressure, against real threats. You will set the technical direction for integration, lead a group of engineers, and stay hands-on. This is not a UI-design or front-end role, and it is not about building simple, self-contained features. We are looking for someone who has integrated complex systems (of systems) before — ideally C-UAS or IAMD — and who knows where the hard problems hide: interfaces, timing, sensor fusion, decision logic, and interoperability. Your responsibilities will involve: Own C-UAS system integration end to end — architect and lead the integration of radar, RF, EO/IR, acoustic and other sensors with our C2 and effector subsystems into a deployable, interoperable whole. Lead command-and-control (C2) integration — define the interfaces, message buses, and data models that connect detection, tracking, decision-making, and effector cueing across the kill chain. Drive sensor fusion and track management — integrate and validate multi-sensor fusion, track correlation, and classification so the system produces a single, trustworthy air picture. Own the decision-making layer — integrate threat evaluation, prioritization, and effector-assignment logic (human-on-the-loop / human-in-the-loop) into robust, testable software. Set the technical direction — maintain the integration architecture, ensuring modularity, interoperability, and adherence to relevant standards and ICDs. Lead and mentor — guide a small, high-performing engineering team, set code standards, testing frameworks, and review processes, and grow the technical capability of the people around you. Stay hands-on — contribute directly to development, debugging, simulation, HIL/SIL, and field testing; own V&V strategy from bench to deployment. Bridge to the real world — collaborate with founders, clients, and partners to translate operational requirements into scalable system architecture, and take integrated systems from prototype through customer acceptance trials. What you bring: MSc (or BSc with equivalent experience) in Aerospace, Electrical, Software, Systems, or Mechanical Engineering, or similar. 5+ years of industry experience, with demonstrable experience integrating complex systems of systems — ideally Counter-UAS (C-UAS) or Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) systems. Proven experience with system integration, sensor fusion, and decision-making / effector cueing. Demonstrable experience setting up full system architectures and defining interfaces (ICDs, message buses, data models) across subsystems from different vendors. Experience leading engineering teams or owning major technical projects, including technical project management. Proven experience defining V&V strategies and taking integrated systems from prototype to deployment. Strong hands-on skills with sensors, links, and systems integration; comfortable analyzing logs and reasoning about timing, latency, and failure modes across a distributed system. Proficiency in Linux/WSL, C++, and Python. Solid grasp of tracking, sensor fusion, and estimation — enough to know what to integrate, where it will fail, and why. Excellent problem-solving skills and a strong bias toward action. Strong communication skills and the ability to lead in a dynamic team environment. Excellent verbal communication in English, strong plus for Dutch . EU and/or NATO citizenship required. Nice to haves: Direct experience with C-UAS or IAMD programs, battle-management / C2 software, or air-defense integration. Familiarity with relevant interoperability standards and interfaces (e.g. STANAG 4586, ASTERIX radar data, Link 16, MAVLink) and with defining ICDs across subsystems. Experience with multi-sensor tracking, track fusion, and TEWA (threat evaluation and weapon/effector assignment) concepts. Experience with HIL/SIL setups and advanced simulation environments. Experience leading field test campaigns or customer acceptance trials. Experience with GPU acceleration, ROS, PX4, ArduPilot, Docker, and CI/CD. Experience with industry-standard communications links and C-UAS testing. Familiarity with defense or dual-use deployment environments. What We Offer: Competitive base salary plus 8% holiday allowance and 25 vacation days. A pivotal technical leadership role in a fast-growing defense-tech startup, with significant autonomy and influence. The chance to work on groundbreaking C-UAS and swarm technology and deploy it on real systems with real operational impact. A collaborative, supportive team in Delft with deep technical ambition and a practical focus — and real opportunities for growth. Full-time onsite in Delft. Work travel to the EU, North America, and Ukraine. Commute compensation. Application materials (combine PDFs and submit in CV entry): CV including portfolio. Motivation letter that includes a description of something you have built, broken, tested, or deployed — during school, work, or in your personal time. Bonus points if it flew.

Core Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end integration of sensors, command-and-control software, and effectors into a deployable Counter-UAS system, including interfaces, sensor fusion, track management, and threat decision logic. Set technical direction, lead and mentor engineers, and remain hands-on with development, verification and validation, simulation, and field testing through customer acceptance.

Requirements

Requires an MSc or a BSc with equivalent experience in a relevant engineering discipline, plus at least five years of industry experience integrating complex systems, ideally in Counter-UAS or Integrated Air and Missile Defense. Candidates should bring hands-on expertise in system architecture, sensor fusion, decision-making and effector cueing, verification and validation, Linux, C++, and Python, along with technical leadership skills and EU and/or NATO citizenship.

Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary
• Holiday Allowance
• Paid Vacation
• Commute Compensation
• Professional Growth Opportunities